Post Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (PGDFM)

Eligibility Criteria
  • Candidates must possess a valid MBBS degree / equivalent Medical Degree Certificate
  • Candidates must possess a valid MCI/State Medical Council registration / Medical license
Course Components
  • Self Learning Modules
  • Video Lectures
  • Contact programs - Hands on training for developing Core Clinical Skills
  • Assignments to be worked-through and submitted
  • Project Work
Program Details
  • Entrance Exam: None
  • Course Duration: 2 Years
  • Course Fee
  • Indian citizens residing and working in India- Rs. 1,00,000/-
  • Citizens of SAARC Countries other than India- US$1900
  • Non Residential Indians/Foreign Nationals- US$2800
  • Application Fee
  • Indian citizens residing and working in India- Rs.1000/-
  • Citizens of SAARC Countries other than India- US$30
  • Non Residential Indians/Foreign Nationals- US$60
  • Please note that the course fee or application fee cannot be refunded or transferred to another course.
  • No. of Seats: 300
Contact Centres
  • Kerala
  • Bangalore
  • Hyderabad
  • Kolkata
  • Tezpur
  • Uttrakhand
  • Chennai
  • Maharashtra
  • Dimapur, Nagaland
  • Oddanchatram, Tamil Nadu
  • New Delhi
  • Raxaul, Bihar

International Post Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (I-PGDFM)

I-PGDFM Online application details - Russian language

I-PGDFM Online application details - Spanish language

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

  • The purpose of this course is to impart knowledge and provide skills up-gradation for general practitioners in Family Medicine at the primary healthcare level. This is not equivalent to any postgraduate residential courses in Family Medicine such as MD/DNB. Currently, this course is not affiliated to any university nor recognized by the Medical Council of India or any State council.
    The 2025 batch course will begin on January 2025.

Overview

  • The International Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine (I-PGDFM) aims to train and certify doctors with postgraduate training in family medicine in the developing world and equip them professionally and spiritually to serve their country and the poor.
  • The I-PGDFM is an accredited distance education initiative by ICMDA, the Distance Education Unit of Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, India, and Loma Linda University (LLU), USA.
  • The two year blended learning curriculum is designed to hone distinct family physician attitudes, skills and knowledge that qualify the physician to provide continuing, comprehensive medical and preventive care to families and the communities. The 'refer less, resolve more' motto of the course, sharing historical roots to family practice is a step towards a cost effective, patient centered, problem oriented, evidence based, global health care delivery system.
Eligibility Criteria
  • The I-PGDFM is open to international doctors serving in low and middle-income countries.
  • Candidates should possess a basic physician license approved by their respective country to practise allopathic medicine.
  • Online course materials, lectures and contact sessions will be in English. Candidates are required to read, write and speak to a proficient level of English.
  • Regular access to the internet with sufficient bandwidth to download relevant course material and upload assignments.
Program Details
  • A two-year blended learning course including online learning and hands-on training at one of our dedicated contact centres.
  • Training through contact classes, directed reading, e-learning methods, video-lectures and tutorials in modular form.
  • The maximum allowable period for the student to complete the course requirements will be four years.
  • Payment should be as full fees upfront in May or as three instalments in May, September and January of the following year.
  • Access to modules will be linked to either full payment or payment of each instalment
  • Limited scholarships are available, and scholarship decisions will be made based on criteria set by the scholarship committee. The decision scholarship committee will be final and has to be followed by a payment based on payment plans above.
  • If not academically engaged optimally, scholarship will be taken off or reduced in subsequent years.
  • Course Fee: $8000 (USD)
  • Application Fee: $10 (USD)
  • No. of Seats: 50
Course Components
  • 100 online self-Learning modules – for updating knowledge base
  • Video Lectures
  • Two contact programmes of 6 days each – for developing core clinical skills
  • 100 online assignments to be completed and submitted
  • Project Work
  • Elective Residency Program (ERP) for tailored skills training
Contact Centres
  • Bach Christian Hospital, Pakistan
  • CMC Vellore, India
  • Harpur Memorial Hospital, Egypt
  • Mengo Hospital, Uganda
  • Mercy Medical Center, Cambodia
  • Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Distance Fellowship in Diabetes Management (DFID)

Eligibility Criteria
  • Doctors with MD/DNB in General Medicine/Internal Medicine/ Family Medicine
  • Doctors who have completed the Post Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (PGDFM)
  • Doctors with MRCGP
  • Doctors with MDGP (General Practice) from Nepal/ FCGP from SAARC Countries
  • Mission Hospital Doctors with any Post Graduate Degree.
Program Details
  • Entrance Exam: No
  • Course Duration: 1 Year
  • Course Fees
  • Indian citizens residing and working in India- Rs.1,00,000/-
  • Non Residential Indians/Foreign Nationals- US$2750
  • Citizens of SAARC Countries other than India- US$1750
  • No. of Seats: 75
Course Components
  • This is a distance program of 1 year duration.
  • 25 problem based interactive modules (compiled in 4 volumes of text books), in self learning format.
  • 19 DVD Lectures by CMC expert faculty on Diabetes Management
  • Two contact programs during the course period of one year, both to be held at CMC Vellore (1st contact program for 6 days consisting of clinical and classroom teaching and 2nd contact program for 3 days with intensive hands-on training)
  • Four assignment modules
  • Project work
  • Training of Diabetes Educator / Counsellor- This is a mandatory requirement for doctors who are residing and working in India.
Application Fee Details for DFID
  • Indian citizens residing and working in India- Rs.1000/-
  • Non Residential Indians/Foreign Nationals- US$60
  • Citizens of SAARC Countries other than India- US$30
  • Please note that the course fee or application fee cannot be refunded or transferred to another course.

Post Graduate Diploma in Geriatrics (PGDG)

Eligibility Criteria
  • All Indian candidates must possess a valid MBBS degree certificate
  • Candidates possessing higher degrees, diplomas or Fellowships can apply
  • All Indian candidates must possess a valid MCI/ State Medical Council registration
  • This course is also open to foreign nationals who should be registered with appropriate accrediting bodies in their own countries.
Program Details
  • There is no Entrance Test.
  • Course Duration: 1 Year
  • Course Fees
  • Indian citizens residing and working in India- Rs.75,000/-
  • Non Residential Indians/Foreign Nationals- US$2300
  • Citizens of SAARC Countries other than India- US$1300
  • No. of Seats: 50
Course Components
  • Self-learning online modules – for updating knowledge base
  • 12 days of contact programs – for developing the core clinical skills in Geriatrics
  • Assignments to be worked on throughout the course and submitted
  • Project
Application Fee Details for PGDG
  • Indian citizens residing and working in India - Rs.1000/-
  • Non Residential Indians/Foreign Nationals - US$60
  • Citizens of SAARC Countries other than India - US$30
  • Please note that the course fee or application fee cannot be refunded or transferred to another course.
Contact Centre
  • Christian Medical College Vellore, Tamil Nadu
  • The dates for the onsite portion of this contact program will be scheduled when it is more feasible for interstate and international travel.

Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health (PGDMH)

Eligibility Criteria

  • ● This course is open to Indian and International applicants
  • ● All candidates must possess a valid MBBS degree certificate (in India) or MBBS equivalent degree certificate (in other countries). (Provisional MBBS certificates shall not be considered/accepted). Candidates possessing higher degrees, diplomas, or fellowships can also apply.
  • ● Candidates residing in India must possess a valid MCI/ NMC/ State Medical Council registration.
  • ● International candidates/Non Resident Indians should be registered with appropriate accrediting bodies in their country of practice.
  • ● All candidates must bring along a non-MBBS graduate in any field who has an interest in mental health work. The graduate degree holder must possess a valid degree certificate and should be comfortable in written and spoken English.
  • ● The MBBS doctor is the primary applicant for this course, but must apply for this course as a team along with a non-MBBS graduate. Neither the MBBS doctor nor the non-MBBS graduate can apply independently for this course.

Program Details

  • ● Entrance Exam: None
  • ● Course Duration: 1 Year
  • ● Maximum No. of Seats: 40 Teams (Each team consisting of one MBBS doctor and one non-MBBS graduate)
  • Course Fee for each team (Single common fee for BOTH the MBBS doctor and the non-MBBS graduate)
  • ● Indian citizens residing in India- INR 90,000
  • ● Non Residential Indians- USD 2,600
  • ● Citizens from any other SAARC country (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan or Sri Lanka)- USD 1,600
  • ● Citizens from Non-SAARC country- USD 2,600
  • Please note that the course fee will not be refunded or transferred to another course.
  • Course Objective
  • One of the core objectives of this course is to create primary care mental health teams. It is for this reason that every doctor has been asked to enroll along with another Non-MBBS graduate. To achieve the goal of creating mental health teams, the course has been specifically designed to foster team building. Course materials have been appropriately designed to meet the learning needs of both members of the team.

    Non-pharmacological strategies, which are time-consuming, are very important in the management of mental health problems. These can be effectively administered by appropriately trained non-doctor graduates as well. Therefore, an integrated management plan that involves an MBBS doctor and a non-MBBS graduate will greatly benefit patients in primary care settings where specialist care is scarce or unavailable.
  • Topics covered
  • ● Normal human development through life cycle
  • ● Applied neuroscience and psychopharmacology for primary care
  • ● Basic psychodynamic principles in general practice (individual and family dynamics)
  • ● Learning theory and cognitive-behavioural principles in general practice
  • ● Culture, religion and mental health
  • ● Consultation skills and holistic assessment of patients with mental health issues.
  • ● Psychotherapy skills including psycho-education, supportive psychotherapy, and basic cognitive-behavioural strategies
  • ● Organic mental disorders including delirium and dementia
  • ● Primary care neurology including epilepsy, headache syndromes and movement disorders
  • ● Substance dependence and behavioural addictions
  • ● Severe mental disorders like psychosis and bipolar disorder
  • ● Common mental disorders like depression anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, stress-related disorders,and medically unexplained symptoms
  • ● Suicide in general practice
  • ● Childhood and Developmental disorders including mental retardation and autism spectrum disorders
  • ● Other topics including eating disorders, sleep-related disorders and human sexuality.
  • ● Special areas in mental health including community mental health, women’s mental health, mental health throughout the life cycle (including end of life care and grief) and ethics in mental health
  • Course components
  • ● Self-paced self-learning interactive online modules.
  • ● Module Online Interactive Sessions - one live online teaching session after each module.
  • ● Online discussion forums.
  • ● Online assignments after each module.
  • ● Two Online ‘Contact Programs’ - periods of intensive interactive online live teaching and learning sessions using flipped classroom methodology.
  • ● Project Work
  • ● One-on-one online mentoring sessions with the teaching faculty for each team of students.

Post Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Medicine (PGDRM)

Video about the PGDRM Course

Eligibility Criteria

  • ● This course is open to both Indian citizens and foreign nationals
  • Click here to view the prospectus (Admission bulletin)
  • ● All candidates must possess a valid MBBS degree certificate or equivalent. (Provisional MBBS certificates shall not be considered/accepted). Candidates possessing higher degrees, diplomas, or fellowships can also apply.
  • ● Indian candidates residing and working in India must possess a valid MCI/ NMC/ State Medical Council registration.
  • ● International candidates/Non Resident Indians should be registered with appropriate accrediting bodies in their country of practice/study.
  • ● All candidates must bring along a non-MBBS graduate in any field who has an interest in medical/rehabilitation work. Any graduate degree holder is eligible (but must possess a valid degree certificate and should be comfortable in written and spoken English).
  • ● The MBBS doctor is the primary applicant for this course but must apply for this course as a team along with a non-MBBS graduate. Neither the MBBS doctor nor the non-MBBS graduate can apply independently for this course.
  • ● A candidate cannot be enrolled simultaneously in more than one course run by the Department of Distance Education, CMC Vellore.
Application / Admission Details
  • ● Course Duration: 1 Year
  • Maximum No. of Seats: 30 doctors (along with 30 non-doctor graduates)
  • Course Fee (inclusive of BOTH the doctor and the non-doctor graduates)
  • ● Indian citizens residing and working in India- Rs.80,000/-
  • ● Non Residential Indians/Foreign Nationals- US$2600
  • ● Citizens of SAARC Countries other than India- US$1600
  • Application Fee (inclusive of BOTH the doctor and the non-doctor graduate)
  • ● Indian citizens residing and working in India- Rs.1000/-
  • ● Non Residential Indians/Foreign Nationals- US$60
  • ● Citizens of SAARC Countries other than India- US$30
  • Please note that the course fee or application fee cannot be refunded or transferred to another course.
Course Components
  • ● Self-paced self-learning interactive online modules
  • ● Cohort Module Review Session (CMRS) - Interactive online face-to-face teaching session after each module
  • ● Online discussion forums
  • ● Two ‘Contact Programs’ - periods of intensive interactive online face-to-face teaching and learning sessions using flipped classroom methodology
  • ● Onsite skills training program (OSTP) and field visit
  • ● Project Work
  • ● One-on-one online mentoring sessions with the teaching team for each student team (doctor and rehabilitation assistant pair)
  • ● Alumni mentoring and engagement.

Post Graduate Diploma in Lifestyle Medicine (PGDLM)

Eligibility Criteria

  • Click here to view the prospectus (Admission bulletin)
  • ● All candidates must possess a valid MBBS degree certificate or equivalent. (Provisional MBBS certificates shall not be considered/accepted). Candidates possessing higher degrees, diplomas, or fellowships may also apply.
  • ● Indian candidates residing in India must possess a valid MCI/ NMC/ State Medical Council registration.
  • ● The MBBS doctor is the primary applicant for this course, but must apply for this course as a team along with an Allied Health Professional (Nurse, Dietitian, Physiotherapist or Clinical Psychologist) who will be referred to as “Lifestyle Medicine Associate”. Neither the MBBS doctor nor the “Lifestyle Medicine Associate” can apply independently for this course.
  • ● In case the MBBS Doctor or the “Lifestyle Medicine Associate” has previously enrolled for any of the other distance courses run by the Distance Education Unit, CMC Vellore, it is mandatory that the candidate have fulfilled all requirements and graduated the previously enrolled course before applying for PGDLM. A candidate cannot be enrolled simultaneously in more than one course run by the Distance Education Unit, CMC Vellore.
  • Applicants, please note that the above criteria are mandatory for admission to the course.
  • GOAL OF THE PROGRAM
  • To equip Doctor and Lifestyle Medicine Associate teams with the attitudes, knowledge, and skills for the practice of lifestyle medicine and to be an advocate for the same.
Application / Admission Details
  • ● Course Duration: 1 Year
  • Total number of seats for students: 60 (i.e. 30 pairs - Doctors: 30 and Associates: 30)
  • Course Fee (inclusive of BOTH the doctor and the associate pair)
  • ● Indian citizens residing and working in India- Rs.90,000/-
  • ● Non Residential Indians (NRI) - US$2600
  • Application Fee (inclusive of BOTH the doctor and the associate pair)
  • ● Indian citizens residing and working in India - Rs.1000/-
  • ● Non Residential Indians (NRI) - US$60
  • Please note that the course fee or application fee cannot be refunded or transferred to another course.
Course Components
  • ● Self-paced self-learning interactive online modules
  • ● Online assignments with each module including workbook activity and quizzes
  • ● Two ‘Contact Programs’ - periods of intensive interactive onsite sessions using flipped classroom methodology
  • ● Project Work

Certificate in General Dentistry (CGD)

Eligibility Criteria
  • All candidates must possess a valid BDS degree or equivalent
  • All candidates must possess a valid DCI registration
  • All candidates must have completed Foundations in Dentistry (FID) Program
  • Goal of the Program:
  • To equip dentists with the knowledge and skills required for General Dental practice.
Program Details
  • Course Duration: 1 Year (2 semesters).
  • No. of Seats: 16 per year
Course Components
  • Self-Learning Manual
  • Weekly academic classes and case presentations
  • Skills lab and clinical demonstration
  • Hands-on experience in general dental skill
  • Clinical logbook and reflective learning e-portfolio
  • Comprehensive care responsibility of patients
  • Continuous evaluation – formative and summative
Fee Details
  • Application Fee
  • Indian citizens residing and working in India- Rs.250/-
  • Non Residential Indians/Foreign Nationals- US$10
  • Citizens of SAARC Countries other than India- US$3
  • Course Fee
  • Indian citizens residing and working in India- Rs.75,000/-
  • Non Residential Indians/Foreign Nationals- US$2200
  • Citizens of SAARC Countries other than India- US$1000

Foundations in Dentistry (FID)

FID Online application details

  • Click here to fill in the application Form
  • Application fee
  • Indian citizens residing and working in India- Rs.500/-
  • Non Residential Indians/Foreign Nationals- US$10
  • Citizens of SAARC Countries other than India- US$10

About the course

  • The Foundations in Dentistry (FID) course is designed to equip dental practitioners with a comprehensive understanding of the core principles that underpin effective dental practice. Participants will explore essential knowledge, clinical reasoning and rationale, professional attitudes, and decision-making strategies critical to delivering high-quality care.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Applicants must hold a valid Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree or an equivalent qualification, along with registration with a recognized state dental council.
Program Highlights
  • Duration: 3 months (online)
  • In-Person Component: Short contact session at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore.
  • Interactive Learning: Participants are expected to actively engage throughout the program. Continuous feedback and periodic assessments will track individual progress.
  • Learning Resources: Comprehensive study materials will be accessible online for self-paced learning and reflection.
  • Intake Capacity: Limited to 25 participants
Course Modules
  • The curriculum is structured around key themes essential for contemporary dental practice:
  • 1. The Role of Consultation in Dental Care: Its significance in patient outcomes
  • 2. Building the Doctor–Patient Relationship: Strategies for trust and rapport
  • 3. Comprehensive Dental Care: Broadening clinical perspectives
  • 4. Person-Centered Dentistry: Placing the patient at the heart of care
  • 5. Managing Medically Compromised Patients: Practical approaches in dental settings
  • 6. Essentials of Caries and Periodontal Disease: Clinical insights for general practitioners
  • 7. Overview of Restorative, Endodontic, and Prosthodontic Techniques: Relevance in everyday practice
  • 8. Understanding Difficulty Levels in Dentistry: Why they matter
  • 9. Quality Assurance and Practice Management: Principles for successful operations
Fee Structure
  • Application Fee
  • Indian Citizens (residing and working in India): ₹500
  • Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) / Foreign Nationals: USD $10
  • SAARC Citizens (excluding India): USD $10
  • Course Fee
  • Indian Citizens (residing and working in India): ₹20,000
  • Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) / Foreign Nationals: USD $500
  • SAARC Citizens (excluding India): USD $200

Post Graduate Diploma in Christian Bioethics (PGDCBE)

Overview

  • The overall aim of the PGDCBE course is to encourage and to equip learners to become and to be Christ-centered in their approach and practice of their profession, thereby upholding sanctity of life and dignity of humans irrespective of people’s socio-economic, cultural, linguistic, literacy and gender differences. In the provision of healthcare in addition to knowledge and skills one might possess, this will enhance the affective aspect of a person thereby enabling one to provide satisfying, wholistic healthcare, in the spirit of Jesus Christ.
Eligibility Criteria
  • This course is designed for healthcare professionals, lawyers, theologians, management professionals and others with a keen interest in Christian Bioethics meeting the minimum qualification requirements (as below) or their equivalent:
  • MBBS / B.Sc. Nursing / BDS / MPH
  • B.Sc. / Diploma Allied Health Sciences
  • LLB / B.Th / B.Div
  • PGDHA / FHA / MHA / BBA or MBA (Healthcare Administration)
  • Any other bachelor’s degree
  • All candidates must possess a valid degree certificate or equivalent. Candidates possessing higher degrees, diplomas, or fellowships can also apply
  • A candidate cannot be enrolled simultaneously in more than one course run by the Department of Distance Education, CMC Vellore
Program Details
  • On-line interview will be held; Entrance Exam: None
  • Duration of course: 2 years
  • Number of Seats: 20
  • Application Fee: Rs. 500/-
  • Course Fee: Rs. 74,000/- (Rs. 37,000/- per year)
  • Click here to download Brochure 2025
  • Click here to download Application form 2025
  • Course Fee: Rs. 74,000/- (Rs. 37,000/- per year)
  • Please note that the course fee or application fee cannot be refunded or transferred to another course
  • Pass criteria
  • 50% each in formative evaluation, capstone project and summative evaluation.
  • Contact Centres
  • Christian Medical College, Vellore
Course Modules
  • Biblical Foundations of Ethics
  • Philosophy and Theories of Bioethics
  • Evolution of Bioethics
  • Indian Context
  • Professionalism
  • Clinical Ethics
  • Global and Public Health Ethics
  • Research Ethics
  • Agents of Change
Course components
  • Self-paced self-learning interactive Learner centred problem-solving online modules
  • Module Online Interactive Sessions - one live online teaching session after each module
  • Online discussion forums
  • On-line assignment after each module
  • Contact program - Three mandatory contact class sessions (2 six-day on-line + 1 three -day on site at CMC, Vellore) conducted by intramural and extramural expert faculty
  • Assignments to be worked-through and submitted
  • A capstone project, requiring students to utilize their knowledge for practical workplace situations involving ethical issues.
  • Final Exams

International Post Graduate Diploma in Healthcare Management (I-PGDHCM)

Overview

  • The International Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Management (HCM) is a two-year Blended Learning course designed to equip healthcare professionals with the skills to manage institutions in diverse settings, focusing on resource-limited environments.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Candidates must hold a recognised degree in healthcare or management.
  • Have atleast two years of work experience in a healthcare context.
Contact Details
  • For further information, please contact: hcm@cmcdistedu.org
Program Details
  • Entrance Exam: None
  • Duration of course: 2 years
  • Number of Seats: 50
  • Application Fee: $10 (USD)
  • Course Fee: $2000 (USD): ($1000 USD per year)
  • Mode: Blended learning model with online modules and periodic in-person contact programs.
  • Learning Format: Self-paced interactive learning supported by online modules, videos, monthly online contact sessions, facilitated peer group discussions, and in-person contact program.
  • Assessment: Regular formative and summative assessments, a capstone project and attendance in the monthly online sessions are an integral part of the course.
  • Certification: The Post Graduate Diploma certificate is offered in partnership with Loma Linda University, Christian Medical College Vellore, and International Christian Medical & Dental Association.

Recent Convocations

Here are pictures of the convocation.

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Address :


Distance Education Unit,
Christian Medical College,

Balanilayam, No.95, Sanjeevipuram,
Bagayam,
Vellore – 632002, Tamil Nadu, India.

Email : info@cmcdistedu.org

PGDFM & PGDMH - +91 9385285893

DFID - +91 9385285894